'63 Johnson QD-24b 10hp prop shaft oil seal help.

[Fishy55]

I had a friend replace the drive shaft oil seal while he was welding up my clutch dog. He said the prop shaft seal (same part number) looked ok, so he put it back on. He installed a new spaghetti seal and I filled the lower unit full of oil and went fishing. Upon draining the oil, I noticed that it's still leaking. So, I bought new nylon seals for the oil drain screws and a new prop shaft seal. While I was there, I picked up new oil drain/fill screws as well (the heads were stripping). Now my buddy is leaving the state for a new job, so I've gotta learn how to install this new prop shaft oil seal myself. It's located inside the part with the rubber o-ring, right? By the way, these are NOT my gears, it's an image I found on http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/johnson_QD.htm
Thanks for any input fellas.

 

[Monte1961]

Re: '63 Johnson QD-24b 10hp prop shaft oil seal help.

Get a lower unit reseal kit and do them all at the same time. After reseal, find away to pressurize the lower unit and submerge in tank and check for leaks. Apply a mild film of lithium grease to seals and shafts before mating them. Clean steel and dry rubber don't mix. You could tear a seal if you don't. Dont over pressurize, only about 12 to 15 lbs max on a regulator. Post back results. Good luck Monte

 

[kfa4303]

Re: '63 Johnson QD-24b 10hp prop shaft oil seal help.

Yup. The prop shaft seal is inside the part with the o-ring. It can be tricky to get out though. I would highly recommend you get a seal puller from the local auto part store for about $7. It will save you a lot of headaches. Once it's out, lightly tap the the new seal into place until it just seats itself. Then lube up the prop shaft with a bit of oil (3-in1, WD-40, a bit of vaseline) to help it pass through the seal without tearing it. The hardest part is just getting the old seal out. Just go slow and be patient. It will come out. You may have to breakdown and cut it out bit by bit, but do try the seal puller first. Even after you have the new seal in and everything put back together, you may have a few small leaks. This is sometimes unavoidable with 50+ year old motors. Some folks just resign themselves to having a few small leaks and therefore change their lower unit oil a few times a season, but if you're lucky it'll seal up nice and tight and you'll be good to. I agree that you may as well change them all at once, if you're up to it. You should be able to get a seal kit right here at iboats. I have a '61 10hp (same basic motor), and I think the seal kit was about $25. Not bad at all. Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[Fishy55]

Re: '63 Johnson QD-24b 10hp prop shaft oil seal help.

Thank you both. I wanted to replace both of the oil seals at once, but the boat shop only had one of the seals in stock, and it would have taken a week to get another one. It's crazy to think that my motor is 50+ years old! I'm 23, and these things just don't look that old to me. My truck is only 11 years old, wish it ran half as well as my outboard

 

[kfa4303]

Re: '63 Johnson QD-24b 10hp prop shaft oil seal help.

Treat her right and she'll run another 50+ years That's the beauty of these old, low-tech gems. Happy boating.....